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CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ - On Wednesday at the Chatham Township Municipal Building the 2010 Sustainable Jersey Grants sponsored by Wal-Mart were announced. Berkeley Heights was one of ten municipalities selected for $10,000 in funding, creating the opportunity for an arboreal investigation.

Berkeley Heights will use the money to conduct an analysis of the local tree canopy to measure its environmental benefits. Landsat imagery and computer modeling will be used and the analysis will support the Community Forestry Management Plan by identifying trends of canopy change.

"We expect to get started in about a month and should be finished in well under a year, maybe even six months. We've talked to experts who have spacial analysis capability. We're close to hiring someone who used to work for American Forests," said Leonard Berkowitz, Chairman of the Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission. With this study complete, possible improvements to the local tree resources program can later be recommended.

Berkowitz sees the grant and the upcoming project as further progress for his town, coming after a business stimulus grant through the state and a grant received from AMJEC to update the natural resource inventory of Berkeley Heights.

Berkowitz spoke at the announcement in Chatham and where as Chatham Township received a grant to invest in a composter for the School District of the Chathams, Berkeley Heights is taking a more naturalist approach and will use the appropriated funds to produce some findings on trees as an age-old solution to air quality, among other concerns. He was glad to see results of the community's efforts. In his opinion, trees are one of the most natural means of environmental conservation but are not so fully supported.

"People think of burning less fuel, using alternative energy, and you don't hear as much about the role of trees. It's not as high-profile so I thought it would be good to emphasize that," Berkowitz said. The project might help produce data that other municipalities can use and even encourage them to implement tree-planting or tree canopy projects.

"Part of what would be important would be a good write up of what we found and have dissemination and publication spread to other towns and have them think about how it might apply to them," he said.

To that end, Assemblyman Jon Bramnick of District 21 commended Berkeley Heights' grant along with Chatham Township's $25,000 for an in-vessel composter as achievements in state and national leadership, thanking both communities for taking steps that could influence the future of the sustainability movement at the municipal level.

Last year Berkeley Heights earned Sustainable Jersey certification, which was a prerequisite to being considered for a grant.

An independent selection committee composed of State Agency representatives, academics, non-profit organizations and business leaders were given full authority to select the winning projects and municipalities. Chief among criteria for the selection committee judging projects were the importance to sustainability both in New Jersey and globally, the likelihood of success, demonstrated commitment from the municipality and importance of the grant to the project's success.

MORRISTOWN, NJ - Atlantic Health System, a leading provider of health care in New Jersey, today celebrated a decade of excellence after it was recognized among Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For®,” ranking number 74 in its tenth consecutive year on the prestigious annual list.

It is the only health care delivery system from New Jersey, and the top-ranked New Jersey ...

NEPTUNE, NJ - The Governor Livingston girls swim team made their mark on Thursday night when they became the first team in the program's history to win back to back sectional championships, beating Metuchen 118-52 in the Central Public C group final at the Neptune Aquatic Center. The team triumphed over Red Bank Regional last year to win their first sectional title in over a ...

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - Let's set the stage -- No. 5 seed Gov. Livingston boys swim team were in a tight battle against No. 4 seed Rumson in the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA Central Group C Championships last week -- and every single point was essential in the 88-82 GL victory. It came down to the last relay of the meet when the 400 free relay team, led off by ...

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - On Valentine's Day, Autumn Lake Healthcare at Berkeley Heights had a special celebration with a singer that entertained and serenaded the residents with songs of love, family and "boogie-woogie" blues.

At times, the rhythm of the music got residents moving and tapping their hands on their laps and a few stood up to dance. Music ...

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - Each of the elementary schools in Berkeley Heights participated in "Salute Your Safety Valentine" by walking to school as part of the monthly walk to school "Safe Routes to School" event and showing their love and appreciation to their crossing guards by handing them Valentine's Day cards and gifts yesterday.

CHATHAM, NJ - A group of pro-cannabis activists came to the Borough of Chatham Council meeting on Monday night and used the public commentary portion of the meeting to ask the council to support a marijuana dispensary in town.

The advocates, who say they have attended more than 80 town meetings to inform about the benefits of medical cannabis, mentioned the 1936 movie "Reefer ...

Fellowship Helping Hands, the home care agency operated by Fellowship Senior Living in Basking Ridge, has received the 2018 Best of Home Care® – Provider of Choice Award from Home Care Pulse, announced Liz Fandel, vice president of Home Community Based Services at Fellowship Senior Living.

Fellowship Helping Hands is a New Jersey licensed home care service for older and ...

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ—New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) invites young musicians in grades 3-11 to attend open rehearsals for Bring A Buddy Week, March 4-8 at 570 Central Avenue in New Providence. Participating students will observe the first half of a rehearsal. Students can visit any ensemble based on their grade and experience level. Students who do not have a friend in an ensemble can still ...

FANWOOD, NJ -- Following the mass shooting in Florida this week, the Union County Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the LaGrande Park Building in Fanwood.

"Every life cut short by gun violence -- that somehow becomes a statistic -- is tucked away in our hearts, never to be lost," wrote Patti ...

With summer just around the corner, it will be hard not to look out the window and dream of warmer days and cool, crystal clear pools that are ready for swimming and splashing. With the Berkeley Heights Community Pool at the YMCA early bird registration currently open, signing up sooner will save money and give you something to look forward to once the summer sun hits! Since 1964, the Berkeley ...

My name is Patti Murgo. I am Committeewoman in Linden’s Eighth Ward. I am a life-long DEMOCRAT, a party activist, and a believer in what being a democrat stands for. Last week, I received a piece of literature from our municipal chairman, Nick Scutari, regarding his “plans” for the County Democratic Party if he is elected county chairman.

Mayor Colleen Mahr has been a pillar of consistency in Union County for the last 20 years, having devoted her life to public service. There is no one more qualified and capable to lead us as our next Union County Democratic Committee Chair.

Colleen has mentored, coached and supported countless candidates running for office in Union County, all across our 21 ...

CHATHAM, NJ - A group of pro-cannabis activists came to the Borough of Chatham Council meeting on Monday night and used the public commentary portion of the meeting to ask the council to support a marijuana dispensary in town.

The advocates, who say they have attended more than 80 town meetings to inform about the benefits of medical cannabis, mentioned the 1936 movie "Reefer ...

Aesop’s “The Tortoise and the Hare” is a perfect metaphor for the way people go about investing their money. As you recall in the fable, the hare brags about his ability to beat the tortoise and is overly confident about winning. In the investment world, the hare is someone who thinks he or she is great at selecting “winners” and avoiding “losers.” The ...